“Jersey Boys” is a smash-hit musical playing on Broadway, but it might as well be the nickname for the U.S. National Soccer Team. Always has been.
The U.S. National Team – which greeted fans in Times Square Friday, and plays Turkey at 2 p.m. Sunday in Red Bull Arena – has long had the flavor of New Jersey’s melting pot. This team that goes to Brazil for the World Cup is no different, with four players – including three expected starters – from the Garden State.
“I love Jersey. When we touched down [at Newark Airport], I got a smile on my face,’’ goalkeeper Tim Howard said. “It goes deep on this team. It’s cool. We try to let those Cali boys know, because they think California is the best. But clearly we know different: It’s New Jersey. When we touched down [Thursday] night, we said ‘Welcome to paradise.’ ”
Howard – arguably the most accomplished US player in history and the team’s 35-year-old elder statesman – played at North Brunswick H.S. and the MetroStars before winning EPL goalkeeper of the Year at Manchester United in 2004 and carving out a career at Everton.
Midfield general Michael Bradley – possibly the best US field player – was born in Princeton and played for his father Bob with those same MetroStars before moving on to Europe. Striker Jozy Altidore was born in Livingston and played for the Red Bulls before his own European move. And midfielder Alejandro Bedoya was born and raised in Englewood, and played two years at FDU-Teaneck.
“The Jersey guys are [each] so different. But that’s Jersey — it’s a huge melting pot. There are different types of people everywhere,’’ said Bedoya, who grew up playing on the Clifton Stallions with Giuseppe Rossi, now on the Italian National Team. “I love Jersey. We talk about it on the team, out of us. And Jersey has produced some of the greatest players on the national team in times past.’’
US Soccer’s Who Who is littered with New Jersey players. Starting in 1990 with starters Tab Ramos, John Harkes, Tony Meola and Peter Vermes – the first three all from the Kearny Scots Club – every World Cup team has had at least two New Jersey starters, and all but 1998 had at least three on the roster.
“For me, it’s home. No matter where I go, when I fly into Newark Airport, it’s home,” said Bradley, expected to start as the advanced midfielder in a 4-4-2 “diamond” formation. “My wife’s family is all still here, my grandparents are here, aunts and uncles, everybody’s still around. Growing up, I have a lot of great memories here.”
So does Altidore, who starred for the Red Bulls before a $10 million move, a record for a US player, to Villarreal in 2008.
“I love being back here,’’ said Altidore, an expected starter who’ll look to break a 1,771-minute scoreless drought for club and country Sunday. “This is a place I love to be, so it’s great to be back here, see how far the Red Bulls and soccer in this state has come. It’s great to see. I’m excited.’’